Electrical connecting device



July 25, 1939. L. w. COLE ET AL 2,167,608

ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE Filed March 10, 1938 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Snnentors Lou 5 W. COLE MID CHRISTOPHER I; SM/TH.

attorney July 25, 19399 L. w. COLE ET AL.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed March 10, 1 958 Zhwentors Lou/5 W. Col-El --D CHRISTOPHER f. .SM/TH.

Gttorneg Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE Application March 10, 1938, Serial No. 195,034

18 Claims.

constructed'and arranged to firmly clamp the blade terminal in secure mechanical and electrilo cal connection therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide connecting devices of the character described which are of simple and rugged construction and capable of being produced in quantities at low 15 cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector constructed and arranged to be readily secured to the bus bar or similar conductor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide 20 an electrical connector constructed and arranged for the securement thereto of a cable terminal such as, for example, around cable, in addition to a flat terminal such as the blade terminal of a fuse or the like. V

A yet further object of the invention is generally to improve the'construction of terminal connectors whereby to provide a good electrical and mechanical connection between the terminal and the connector and between the terminal 30 and the bus bar whereby especially in reference to the fuse terminal which is usually removably connected in position, to substantially eliminate resistance and consequent heating due to loose connections which mightotherwise develop.

The above objects of the. invention and other objects ancillary thereto will be best understood from the following description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

m Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector made in accordance with one form of the invention.

the connector being shown attached to a bus bar;

Fig. 2 is an end view-of the connector, showing, in dotted lines, the blade terminal secured in position;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a connector made in ac cordance with another form of the invention, the connector being shown secured to the bus bar and having the terminal bladeof the fuse 60 secured in position;

Fig. 4. is an end view of the connector shown in Fi 3:

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modification of the connector illustrated in Figs.

56 3 and 4;

- Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the connector shown in Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4 respectively showing another form of the invention; 5 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a connector showing yet another form of the invention;

Figs. 10 andlOa are sectional views on the lines Ill-l0 and I Ila-40a respectively of Fig. 9;

Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views illustratl0 ing further embodiments of the invention. Referring now to the drawings, and first to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the connector III which may be bent substantially into U-shape from a flat strip of suitable metal, preferably copper, comprises as here shown, a base or end wall l4, inclined side wall I6 and an end wall l8. The connector .may be mounted on the bus bar B and secured thereto in any suitable way, as by rivets or by screws, as here shown or may be fused to said face to face relation and is seated on end wall ll in such a manner that its lower edge engages said end'wall and projection i 5. End wall I8 confronts and is inclined toward end wall It, and

is also inclined toward side wall 16 forming an acute angle therewith. Said'side wall is inclined away from end wall l4 forming an obtuse angletherewith. When screw 20 is threaded down on to blade 22 it forces blade 22 into a close surface 5 engagement with side wall It thereby to make good electrical connection therewith. Suitable reinforcing means such as, for example, ribs 28 are provided at the junction of top wall l8 and side wall l6 thereby to strengthen the construction and to prevent side wall l8 from being forced up when screw 20 is threaded down on blade 22. It will be understood that the gage of the metal of which connector I0 is composed is sufliciently high to provide a rigid structure.

The connector 10 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 has a side wall "id and an end wall He through whichscrew 20a is threaded for engaging blade; 22. The other end wall 42 is reflexed to provide a base for connection with the bus bar B by bolts 46 provided with nuts 48. Wall." is provided with a projection I5a struck up therefrom. The blade 22 of the cartridge fuse F is held in place in the same manner as in the connector I0 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, but as here shown,

- flange 92.

the fuse is disposed centrally of the bus bar B. The connector 60 illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 has a curved end wall 62 which obviates the necessity for a projection. The lower edge of the blade 22 is seated in the depression 64 formed by side wall I61: and curved bottom wall 62. In other respects connector 60 is similar to connector 40 shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The connector illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 may be a casting or forging 82 which has a bore 84 to receive the end of a cable. A threaded bore 86 is provided in the body of the connector through which a screw (not shown) may be threaded to hold the cable in place. The connector is attached to the bus bar B by screws 68. Side wall of the connector is inclined and terminates at one end in an end wall 9| having a short flange 92. Wall 90 terminates at its other end in an end wall 94 through which screw 86 is threaded. The lower edge of the blade 22 is positioned and held between side wall 90 and Screw 96 holds blade 22 into a close engagement with side wall 80 forming a good electrical connection therewith.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 10a, the connector I00 comprises wall I02 and strip I04 secured adjacent each'other directly to bus bar B. For this purpose narrower end portions I06 and I08 are projected through an opening I08 in said bar, the shoulders I05 and I01 on wall I02 and strip I04 engaging one surface of said bar and the projected ends of said wall and strip being upset and thereby riveted over the opposite surface of the bar. Strip I04 has an end portion IIO which diverges from wall I02 and thereby forms a seat and end wall I II for one edge of blade 22. The free end portion of wall I02 is bent over seat III forming a confronting end wall II2 through which a screw H8 is threaded for engagement with the other edge of blade 22 to hold said blade on seat H0 and in good electrical engagement with wall I02. In the modification, shown in Fig. 11, the connector I30 is made out of one piece of metal which is bent into the shape shown, providing short and longer vertical walls Ma and M64: similar to parts I02 and I04 of connector I00 and flat folded portions I32 and I34. Connector I30 may be secured to bus bar B in any suitable way as by one or more bolts I36. End'wall I3'I confronts end wall and seat I38 and screw I38 is arranged to engage the blade.

The connector I40, shown in Fig. 12, comprises two portions I42 and I44. Portion I42 is bent to provide a side wall I46, inclined end wall I48, and base I50. Member I44 is of such dimensions that when it is fused to base I50 it provides a seat I52 for one edge of the blade 22 (not shown). A screw I54 is threaded through end wall I48 and engages the adjacent edge of the blade forcing the same to engage side wall I46. Connector I40 may be secured to bus bar B in any suitable way as by screws or bolts I56.

From the foregoing it is apparent that in each of the forms of the invention there is provided a connector which is constructed and arranged to furnish convenient means for securing the blade terminalof a fuse or other electrical conductor. In each of the connectors there is a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said sidewall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation, whereby they define with said -flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of the blade terminal in posilike, adjustably secured in said opening and en-- gageable with the opposite edge portions of the blade terminal for releasably clamping the latter securely in said position. It will be understood, of course, that each connector is made of suitable metal, preferably copper, of sufiicient gage to provide a rigid and rugged structure. It will be observed further that in each of the connectors provision is made for obtaining secure, face to face engagement between the blade terminal and the connector, whereby to provide good mechanical and electrical connection therebetween.

Thus it is seen that the constructions herein shown and described are well adapted to accomplish the several objects of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as here shown and that in the forms of the invention herein shown or described certain changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made and will readily occur to skilled artisans. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited precisely to the present disclosure except as may be required by the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said fiat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position. I

2. Ari-electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and withone of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, said other confronting portion being inclined toward said side wall whereby said clamping means forcies said conductor laterally against said side wal 3. An electrical connector comprising a member having a fiat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein. of a conductor'in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side Wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, and means on said first confronting portion for engaging a marginal side edge portion of said conductor to hold the latter against said side wall of the connector.

4. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at the side for the insertion therein of a conductor inposition with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, and means struck up from said first confronting portion for engaging a marginal side edge portion of said conductor to hold the latter against said side wall of the connector.

5. An electrical connector comprising a member .having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said fiat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, said side wall and one of said confronting portions having parts of reduced widths providing shoulders for engagement with a bus bar with endsof said parts opposite said shoulders fixed in said bar.

6. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in'said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, and

' means for securing one of said laterally disposed portions to a support.

7. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed ment with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, one of said confronting portions having'a part reflexed and provided with means for securing the same to a bus bar.

8. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, one of said confronting portions having a part refiexed and provided with means for securing the same to a bus bar, an intermediate portion of said reflexed part being bent to provide a recess to receive the edge portion of said conductor.

9. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, one of said confronting portions having a part adjacent said side wall diverging therefrom to provide a recess for the edge portion of the conductor in engagement therewith.

10. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defin ng with said fiat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, and means formed in said connector at one side of said side wall thereof for securing a second conductor terminal therein.

11. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining withsaid flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contactv with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with, one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, said side wall being inclined outwardly from said first confronting portion, whereby the conductor is biased toward said side wall.

12. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall .and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the otherof said confronting portionshavinganopening therethrough, means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable'with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, and means on said connector for securing the same to a bus bar or other support.

13. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position and means integral with one of said confronting portions for securing the same to a bus bar with the center line of said conductor over the longitudinal center line of said bar.

14. An electricalconnector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess openat one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one-of said confronting portions, the other of said confronting portions having an opening therethrough, and means adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge portions of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position, one of said confronting portions having a part reflexed and provided with means for securing the same to a bus bar, said reflexed part projected laterally of said wall from one side to the other thereof.

15. An electrical connector for a blade terminal, said connector comprising a substantially said end walls having a part thereof, adjacent said side wall, struck up to provide an abutment for one edge of the blade terminal to hold the latter against said side wall, said other end wall having a threaded opening therein, a screw adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge of said blade terminal, said other end wall being inclined toward said side wall and said screw being similarly inclined whereby the. latter forces said blade laterally against said side wall in face to face relation therewith, movement of said blade away from said side wall being prevented by said abutment on the opposite end wall of the connector.

16. An electrical connector for a blade terminal, said connector comprising a substantially U-shaped member having a flat side wall and confronting end walls integral therewith, one of said end walls having a part thereof, adjacent said side wall, struck up to provide an abutment for one edge of the blade terminal to hold the latter against said side wall, said other end wall having a threaded opening therein, a screw adjustably secured in said opening and engageable with the opposite edge of said blade terminal, said other end wall being inclined toward said side wall and said screw being similarly inclined whereby the latter forces said blade laterally against said side wall in face to face relation therewith, movement of said blade away from said side wall being prevented by said abutment on the opposite end wall of the connector and means for reinforcing said inclined end wall at the junction thereof with said side wall.

1'7. An electrical connector comprising a member having a fiat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each other and arranged in confronting relation defining with said fiat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, and means adjustably mounted on said other confronting portion and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor for releasably clamping the latter in said position.

18. An electrical connector comprising a member having a flat side wall and portions disposed laterally of said side wall, said laterally disposed portions being spaced from each otherand arranged in confronting relation defining with said flat side wall a recess open at one side for the insertion therein of a conductor in position with one side of the latter in contact with said side wall and with one of its edge portions in engagement with one of said confronting portions, means adjustably mounted on said other confronting portion and engageable with the opposite edge portion of said conductor forreleasably clamping the latter in said position, and means onsaid first confronting portion for engaging a marginal side edge portion of said conductor to hold the latter against said side wall of the connector. I c

LOUIS W. COLE. CHRISTOPHER I. SMITH. 

